Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

UN Mission In Georgia Thrown Into Uncertainty

UN Mission In Georgia Thrown Into Uncertainty By Recent Conflict – Ban

New York, Oct 6 2008 1:10PM

Dramatic changes due to the Russian-Georgian conflict in South Ossetia have cast a veil of uncertainty over the future function of the 14-year-old United Nations mission entrusted with overseeing the ceasefire accord between the Government and Abkhaz separatists in north-western Georgia, according to the latest UN report on the region.

“It is not yet known which features, if any, of the 1994 Moscow [ceasefire] Agreement that forms the basis of the Mission’s observation mandate will be retained when the current security discussions conclude,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in the report to the Security Council in which he asks for a four-month extension of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).

“In particular, there is as yet little clarity as to the future status of what has so far constituted the area of responsibility of UNOMIG, namely the security zone, where no military presence was permitted, the restricted weapons zone, where no heavy weapons could be introduced, and the Kodori Valley,” he adds, referring to the Aῢkhazia region.

UNOMIG has no jurisdiction in the nearby South Ossetia region. Mr. Ban notes that in view of official statements and decisions by Georgia and Russia it seems unlikely that the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peacekeeping force in the Abkhazia region will have any role in the separation of forces between the two sides, and it is still unclear what arrangement, if any, will fulfil this function.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Under these circumstances, it is too early at this stage to define the role that UNOMIG may play in the future,” he writes. “But as long as international involvement in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict is seen as helping to prevent future conflict, UNOMIG may be called upon to make a contribution. In this respect, I have received formal indications from the Georgian and Abkhaz sides that they support the continuation of the Mission."

Citing differences that have already surfaced between the two sides, Mr. Ban says UNOMIG’s good offices role could be as relevant as ever in seeking to resolve the many issues that are bound to emerge in the upcoming period.

“It is in this context that I recommend to the Security Council that it extend the mandate of the Mission on a technical basis for a period of four months, until 15 February 2009,” he writes.

“While the role of UNOMIG may need to be adjusted, I do believe that the United Nations should continue to place the experience of UNOMIG at the disposal of the two sides and the international community in order to respond in the best possible way to the demands of conflict prevention and conflict resolution,” he adds, pledging intensified UN consultations in the coming months over the issue.

UNOMIG, which currently has 134 military observers, 17 police, 85 international civilian personnel and about 175 local civilian staff, is entrusted with verifying compliance with the 1994 ceasefire and separation of forces agreement and observing the operations of the CIS peacekeeping force.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More


Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

UN News: Nowhere To Go In Gaza

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said some 1.1M people would be expected to leave northern Gaza and that such a movement would be “impossible” without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded. The WHO joined the call for Israel to rescind the relocation order, which amounted to a “death sentence” for many. More


Access Now: Telecom Blackout In Gaza An Attack On Human Rights

By October 10, reports indicated that fixed-line internet, mobile data, SMS, telephone, and TV networks are all seriously compromised. With significant and increasing damage to the electrical grid, orders by the Israeli Ministry of Energy to stop supplying electricity and the last remaining power station now out of fuel, many are no longer able to charge devices that are essential to communicate and access information. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.